Advent/Christmas services and pageants

Advent/Christmas services and pageants

The altar and chancel of Grace Church 1848, is set up for a Lenten Taizé chant service, in this photo from March, 2012. Photo by Francesca Norsen Tate

By Francesca Norsen Tate

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The service of Lessons and Carols is beloved in the Anglican and Episcopal churches, and is a special tradition with the Parish Choir of Grace Church-Brooklyn Heights.

This year’s Lessons & Carols, on Sunday, Dec. 16, focuses on the joy and wonder of the Incarnation and Nativity. The choir, under the direction of Paul Richard Olson, sings festive works of Johann Georg Eberling, John Gardner and Peter Warlock, and more contemplative motets of Boris Ord, Egil Hovland, Richard Averre, Arthur Baynon and Charles Wood. Organ works by Buxtehude and Bach are also featured. The service begins at 5 p.m., with a 4:45 p.m. organ prelude.

The children of St. Charles Borromeo Church will reenact the story of the birth of Jesus, complete with carols and costumes, when they present their 2012 Nativity Pageant during the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Dec. 16.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bay Ridge has a full schedule of Christmas activities and services. All are welcome here. This coming Sunday at Bethlehem is Christmas Carol Sunday. The entire liturgy on December 9 at 10:30 a.m. is entirely sung—with no sermon. The congregation is welcome to sing along with the Bethlehem choir as to celebrate the season with favorite Christmas songs. Refreshments follow, of course.

The children of Bethlehem Lutheran Church will teach adults their take on the true meaning of Christmas. The annual Children’s Christmas Pageant takes place on Dec. 23 at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon follows. Bethlehem Church is at Ovington and Fourth avenues in Bay Ridge.

Outreach continues to hurricane victims: Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Deputy Borough President Sandra Chapman were scheduled to host an Interfaith Clergy Breakfast on Tuesday to address the Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery efforts in Brooklyn. A panel discussion with religious and community leaders and emergency response personnel was part of the agenda.

St. Charles Borromeo Church was able to send a check for $4,315 to Catholic Charities, thanks to the generosity of its parishioners, to help with the Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts. Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens continues sending aid to the victims of the tragic storm. In addition to their financial contribution, the St. Charles parishioners offered their prayers and provided non- perishable foods and clothing.